Christie Parell Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer SOC | Public Communication

Bio: Christie Parell is a full-time professor in the School of Communication and the Associate Director of the Public Communication division. She brings more than 25 years of strategic communications experience at high-profile institutions across both the public and private sectors. At AU, she teaches undergraduate and graduate classes focusing on public relations, media literacy, crisis communication, persuasive writing, political communication, and related subjects.

Before joining the faculty, she launched and directed the Washington, D.C. public affairs office of Stanford University’s prestigious think tank, the Hoover Institution. She also served as a publicity and media relations strategist for the National Geographic Channel.

From 2001 until 2007, Parell held a variety of policy and communications positions at the White House under President George W. Bush. Her work there culminated in her service as a Media Spokesperson and the Director of Coalitions Media in the Office of Media Affairs, where she provided on-the-record commentary to local, national, and specialty media outlets and collaborated with outside groups and leaders on their strategic communication plans. Earlier in her career, she also worked on Capitol Hill as well as in corporate and non-profit organizations.

Parell holds an M.A. in Public Communication from American University and a B.A. in International Relations from Boston University.

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Faculty Profile: Christie Parell